Matthias p



vNTE@Peeters-1iDENT MATTHIAsr. coONs', on LANSINGBURG, New YORK. e

`FLEXIBLE FENCE.

To all whomyz' mag/,concemf e Be it known that LMATTHIAS P. GooNs, of Lansingburg, countyxof Rensselaer, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful improvement in a device orapparatus for the purpose of uniting the upper bars or rails of banister orpicket fence or other similar device and also the same for the f purpose of attachingand securing the said bars or rails to a post whether the structure be of wood or other material, which I denominate f a self-graduating apparatus as applied to fence railing or other similar de` vice equallyadapted to allthe variousgrades of elevations and depressions or undulations of soil, and also the same device admits of any and all the variations ofcourse.

The nat-ure of my invention consists in struction, not having any reference in its construction on what grade of elevations or depressions, the fence or railing is to be lplaced or what variations of course, and I ereby declare, that the following is a full and exact description and operation of the same. Y

By the use of two concave plates, of an oval or round form, the radius of the concavity and the radius of the circular form, may be determined, as the extent of either is not material. The cavity` of the lower plate being upward, and the cavity of the upper plate being downward, when placed together form anoval space, between them, and when compressed together, form grippers or clasp, in which the bars or rails are secured. For a moreparticular` description thereof refe-rence maybe had to the annexed drawings.

Figure l, represntsa perspective view of the lower plate resting on the top of a post withV a pin passing through its center as represented by letter a, Z), b represents two short pins, at or `near the edge of each end `of the plate. Fig. 2 represents the upper plate having a fiangeon each side thereof, the

spaces without the flange, the width` of which is determined `by the widthfof the rail tobe used, and the Lwidth` ofthe iianges, or rims is also determined by the thickness of" the bars tobe used, this platealso has mea pins at or near the edge of eachend.; the pinsl of both the lower and upper plate exactly corresponding.

section? cfa baror 'railQon either end thus forming a clasp, and also showing that the said bars, though firmly held, by `:thefthus formed clasp, admits `of any variation of course, and also of elevation and depression. e

Fig.l 4, represents a bar,or rail, perforated with "conical holes mortises or apertures being "the largest at the bottom, and the e Fig. 3` represents the two. plates (Figs. l and 2) holding in its grasp a smallest onthe upper side of the bar. Fig. 5

represents a section of one bar, having three banistersinserted and secured in the conical Aholes the pickets or hanisters being perpen` dicular and the bars horizontally or in-" clined; thus showingthat a joint maybe retained'by. the useof tapering hole-s or any grade desired not exceeding angles of thirtythree degrees. Fig. 6, represents two panels of fence` made and constructed `according to i h this invention. "Letter c, represents a! panel placed on the level, and letter d, apanel on an elevation, and `also on an angle, both of which are secured to each other and to thet post-s, by the clasp represented by Fig. 3, both of which panels, are made equally alike, as to the holes in the bars of each, are equally conical. Fig. 7, represents a clasp constructed upon the sameprinciple as that of Fig. 3, but changed in form, so as to admit,

the reception of bars, at right angles; andw may beso formed, as to admit in its grasp 3, or 4l bars thus forming cross fencesfpassing each other at right angles.

The cavity within the plates admits of suiiicient space for the end of the bar tosway laterally sufficiently to allow the bar to be placed on any ordinary desired courseorl elevation, and tapering mortises, holes, or`

apertures, in the bars, which also `admits a panel of fence to be racked sufliciently,lto admit of its being placed on any required` ascent, or depression not exceeding 33 de-` grees, the banisters or pickets remaining perpendicular. 1 i ,i

Having thus fully set forth and described the natureof my invention and its practical operation, I do not claim anyf partcula-r 110` railing, whether the same lloe of wood or metal and also securingfof the same, by the use ofa pin witha screw thereon, or other device, on the top of a post in the manner, and for the purpose, as herein described.

2. And in connection therewith, I claim perforating the bars, or rails, with conical,

or tapering holes, mortises or orifices, for the 20 insertion of pickets or banisters in the manner, and all for the purpose, as is herein substantially set forth, and described.

Datend at Lansingburg this eighteenth day of March, 1851.

MATTHIAS P. cooNs.

Witnesses l G. S'row,

Z. `WELLS. 

